This chapter discusses the unequal participation in politics through voting and campaign donations, highlighting the significant influence that donors have compared to ordinary voters. It explores the impact of campaign funding, the dominance of larger donors, and the importance of alternative ways of funding campaigns to reduce inequalities. It also delves into the influence of different types of donations, including PAC donations and the rise of super PACs after the Citizens United decision.
Even great ideas need to be studied and understood scientifically. Jennifer Heerwig has done more than anyone studying the effects of the voucher experiment in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, we hear what she has learned, and what that could mean for reform more generally.